1983 FENDER PRECISION BASS
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A new logo was introduced which included the serial number now beginning with an "E3" and applied under the finish. For more precise dating cross reference the serial number with the instrument's neck butt stamp, pickup codes and pot codes. The Schaller clover tuners transistioned to a smaller tuner, only including the "F" logo imprint. A hex truss rod adjustment at the headstock was introduced. The neck returned to 1 3/4 inch "C" width. The thumb rest was gone. The chrome pickup and bridge covers were discontinued. The white vinyl pickguard transitioned from three layer to one layer. The neck plate transitioned from an F Series plate with black plastic gasket to a Fender name plate with tilt adjust. Both neckplates had no serial number. The bridge plate now had only three mounting screws and hex. The bridge plate transitioned from 5 mounting screws to 3 mounting screws and hex height adjustments.
Other 1983 Precision bass characteristics: Curved rosewood fretboard or one piece maple neck with skunk stripe, white or black plastic dot fret markers, medium jumbo fret wire, neck butt date etc. ink stamps or neck butt pencil date, extra hole on neck butt for hanging while painting, neck pocket paint stick, extra body holes in neck pocket for hanging while painting, metal foil ground shielding on pickguard underside, white or black plastic pickup covers, date ink stamped grey bobbin pickups, flat top knobs, CTS potentiometers, various shaped tone capacitors, plastic wiring, body routes, black plastic molded case with black interior.